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19. 12. 2017 20:41

Premier Babiš debated with premiers of Israel, Austria and Bulgaria, and discussed support for the Cabinet today

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš telephoned with his counterparts in Israel, Austria and Bulgaria on 19 December 2017. He also met with the chairman of the Czech and Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (ČMKOS) Josef Středula and the minister of finance Alena Schillerová. He discussed support for his Cabinet with representatives of ODS and KDU-ČSL.

The main topic of his meeting with the chairman of trade unions Josef Středula and minister of finance Alena Schillerová was the bill on state budget, discussed in the final reading today by the Chamber of Deputies. They also discussed further functioning of the Council of Economic and Social Agreement of the Czech Republic. Premier Babiš assured the chairman of the ČMKOS Středula that the government wanted to continue its close cooperation with social partners. He therefore convened, for 4 January 2018, the first tripartite meeting with the new government, where he wants to, among other things, acquaint representatives of trade unions and employers with the draft government programme declaration.

Babiš spoke with the premier of Israel Benjamin Netanjahu about mutual cooperation and deepening of Czech-Israeli relations. Babiš invited Netanjahu to visit the Czech Republic next year, when another round of Czech-Israeli intergovernmental consultations is planned. During the visit, Netanjahu could attend celebrations of the 100th anniversary of establishment of Czechoslovakia, which was a major supporter of the establishment of the State of Israel. Premier Babiš thus reminded that the CR has historically had above-standard relations with Israel.

After 2 pm, Babiš informally congratulated Austrian Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz by telephone on appointment in the office. Babiš sent him a congratulatory letter earlier on Monday, highlighting the interest of the Czech Republic to continue working with Austria to promote common interests and deepen the political dialogue between the two countries.

On Tuesday, Babiš also telephoned with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov. On 1 January 2018, Bulgaria is going to take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months. Borisov invited Babiš for a visit to Bulgaria, which could take place at the beginning of the next year.

Premier Andrej Babiš also negotiated, in the Chamber of Deputies, with representatives of parliamentary parties about possible support for the Cabinet. Today, he met with representatives of ODS and KDU-ČSL and acquainted them with the the draft government programme declaration. Meetings with other parties will follow in the coming days. In the afternoon, the Chamber of Deputies discussed the state budget for 2018.